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Wednesday, 8 June 2016

320) “Incredible India”:(Part III) A set of 48 Post Cards issued by India Post in 2015:

320)
“Incredible India”:(Part
III) A set of 48 Post Cards issued by India Post in 2015:

India Post has brought out
a selection of 48 Post Cards in 2015, reflecting the Natural Resources, select food
items, Religious Festivals, Indian dresses and customs, heritage buildings,
tourist spots et al, which all go to make “Incredible India” and give rise to
the phrase “Unity in Diversity”.

I have given the images of
these cards together with brief descriptions of the images in this three part
post. This is Part III of this post:

35) Kathakali Dancer:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting a Kathakali dancer

“Kathakali”
is a stylised classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of
characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body
movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and contemporary
percussion.

It originated in the present day Indian State of Kerala during the
17th Century and has developed over the years with improved looks,
refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise
drumming.

A Kathakali actor uses
immense concentration, skill and physical stamina gained from regimented
training based on Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art of Kerala, to prepare
for his demanding role. The training can often last for 8-10 years, and is
intensive. In Kathakali, the story is enacted purely by the movements of the
hands (called “mudras” or hand
gestures) and by facial expressions (“rasas”)
and bodily movements.

The expressions are
derived from “Natyashastra”, (the
tome that deals with the science of expressions) and are classified into nine
as in most Indian classical art forms. Dancers also undergo special practice
sessions to learn control of their eye movements.

36) Odissi:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting an Odissi dancer

“Odissi”
is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. It originates from the
State of Odisha in Eastern India.

It is the oldest surviving dance form of
India on the basis of archaeological evidences. The classical treatise of Indian
dance “Natyashastra” refers to it as “Odra-Magadhi”.
1st Century BC bas-reliefs in the hills of Udaygiri (near
Bhubaneswar) testify to its antiquity.

It was suppressed under the British Raj,
but has been reconstructed since India gained Independence.

It is particularly
distinguished from other classical Indian dance forms by the importance it
places upon the “Tribhangi”
(literally meaning “three parts break”) – the independent movement of the head,
chest and pelvis and upon the basic square stance known as “Chakra” or “Chouka” that symbolises Lord Jagannath.

This dance is
characterised by various “Bhangas”
(Stances), which involves stamping of the foot and striking various postures as
seen in Indian sculptures. The common “Bhangas”
are – “Bhanga”, “Abhanga”, “Atibhanga” and
“Tribhanga”.

37) “Namaste”:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting a Namaste gesture in Mohini-Attam, an Indian dance form

“Namaste”, sometimes spoken as “Namaskar” or “Namaskaram”
is used as a respectful form of greeting, acknowledging and welcoming a
relative, guest or stranger. Namaskar is mostly used in India. It is used with
goodbyes as well.

It is typically spoken and simultaneously performed with the
palms touching gesture, but it may also be spoken without acting it out or
performed wordlessly; all three carry the same meaning.

In the above picture, is
shown a “Mohini-Attam” dancer making
a Namaste gesture.

38) “Sari”:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting a woman draped in a Sari

The word “Sari” is derived from “Sadi” in Prakrit which means “strip of
cloth”.

It consists of a drape of varying sizes from five to nine yards (4.57 metres
to 8.23 metres) in length and two to four feet (60 cm to 1.20 metres) in
breadth that is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over
the shoulder, barring the midriff.

It is usually worn over a petticoat with a fitted
upper garment commonly called a blouse or “choli”.
“Choli” is derived from the Cholas,
an ancient ruling Dynasty in Tamil Nadu.

The Sari is associated with grace and
is widely regarded as a symbol of Indian culture.

In the history of Indian
clothing the “Sari” is traced back to
the Indus Valley Civilisation, which flourished during 2800 – 1800 BC around the
Western part of the Indian sub-continent. The earliest known depiction of the
Sari in the Indian sub-continent is the statue of an Indus Valley priest
wearing a drape.

There are more than 80
known ways to wear a “Sari”.

39) “Churidaar”:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting a woman wearing a “Churidaar”, “Kameez” and a “Dupatta”

In India women’s clothing
varies widely and is closely associated with the local culture, religion and
climate. “Churidaar” is a leg-wear
which is loose up to the knees and fits below the knees with horizontal gathers
near the ankles.

The “Churidaar” is
usually worn with a “Kameez” (tunic)
by women which goes below the knees. This also comes with a “Dupatta” (a multi-purpose scarf) which
is treated as an accessory in current urban fashion.

40) “Chakrasana” (a
Yoga “Asana”):

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting a woman in a yogic Chakrasana pose

“Chakrasana” (or the “wheel pose”) is a backward
bending “yoga asana”. “Chakra” in Sanskrit means “wheel”. The “Chakrasana” gives great flexibility to
the spine.

This pose is extremely beneficial to those who sit long hours in
front of the desk or computers as they usually hunch over the desk all day
long. A variation of the “Chakrasana”
is the “Ek Pada” (one-legged) “Chakrasana” in which one leg is lifted straight
up into the air

41) A view of a sunset:

The above is a view of a
sunset on the Shimoga-Honavar Highway

42) A Turban (or “Pagri”):

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting a man wearing a turban or “Pagri”

In India, the turban is
referred to as a “Pagri”, (meaning
the headgear that is worn by men which is manually tied). There are several
styles which are specific to the wearer’s region or religion, and they vary in
shape, size and colour. For example – the Mysore Peta, the Marathi pheta,
Puneri Pagadi and the Sikh Dastar etc.

The Pagri is a symbol of honour and respect wherever it is worn. It is
a common practice to honour important guests by offering them one to wear.

Colours are often chosen
to suit the occasion or circumstance , for example saffron associated with
valour or sacrifice (martyrdom) is worn during rallies, white associated with
peace is worn by elders and pink associated with spring is worn during that
season or for marriage ceremonies.

Traditionally, the royal
elite of the erstwhile Princely States of India, especially in Northern India,
wear a long Pagri, which is a symbol of nobility, honour and respect.

43) A Maharana in a Nehru Jacket:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting the erstwhile Prince of Mewar wearing a pinstripe Nehru
jacket

The Nehru Jacket is
a hip-length tailored coat for men or women, with a mandarin collar and with
its front modelled on the Indian “achkan”
or “sherwani”, an apparel worn by
Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964.

Ironically, Nehru himself
rarely wore the jacket named after him, preferring the more traditional
sherwani/achkan or western style suit and tie.

The apparel was created in
India as the “Band Gale Ka Coat”
(meaning “Closed Neck Coat”) and has been popular on the Indian subcontinent.

It began to be marketed in
Europe and USA in the mid-1960s and early 1970s.

Once thought to be a
possible new standard for formal wear for men (perhaps even replacing the
tuxedo) the Nehru jacket fell rapidly in popularity within just a few years.

44) Republic Day Parade:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting an all-women contingent drawn from the three forces – Army, Air
Force and Navy marching in the Republic Day Parade

For the first time in the
history of India’s Republic Day parade, women empowerment in the Armed Forces
was on display, as an all-women
contingent from the three forces – Army, Air force and Navy – marched down the
majestic Rajpath.

While women officers have been participating in
previous Republic Day parades, this was the first time that an all-women
contingent of the Armed Forces participated.

The 26th
January 2015 Republic Day parade was also witnessed by US President Barack
Obama as the Chief Guest.

45) “Garud” Commando
Force:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting personnel of the “Garud” Commando Force

The “Garud” Commando Force is the Special
Forces unit of the Indian Air Force. The unit derives its name from “Garud” (a divine bird-like creature of
Hindu Mythology)

It was formed in September
2004 and has a strength of 2000 commandos approx.

“Garud” is tasked with the protection of official Air Force bases
and installations, search and rescue during peace and hostilities and disaster
relief during calamities.

Presently Garud units are
deployed in the Congo as part of UN Peace keeping operations.

46) Holidaying:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting frolicking youngsters at Devbagh Beach on the Arabian Sea,
Karwar, India

47) Nicobar Pigeon:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)

The Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas
nicobarica) is found on small islands and in coastal regions from the
Nicobar Islands of India through the Malay Archipelago, to the Solomons and
Palau. It is the only living member of the genus Caloenas and the closest
living relative of the extinct dodo.

It is a large pigeon
measuring 40 cm (or 15.45 inches) in length. It is a very vocal species, giving
a low-pitched repetitive call.

The species nests in dense
forest on offshore islets, often in large colonies. It builds a loose stick
nest in a tree. It lays one elliptical faintly blue-tinged white egg. Its International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Status is “Near Threatened (NT)”.

48) Reed Warbler raising Cuckoo young:

The above is an image of a
postcard depicting a Reed Warbler feeding a Cuckoo young

I
am ending this post with this hilarious picture of a tiny Reed Warbler feeding
a giant-sized Cuckoo young.

Brood parasites are
organisms that rely on others to raise their young. Among birds, it is commonly
found in the cuckoos, though there are non-parasitic cuckoo species too.

The brood parasite
manipulates a host, either of the same or of another species, to raise its
young as if it were its own. Brood parasitism relieves the parasitic parent
from the investment of rearing the young or building nests for the young,
enabling them to spend more time on other activities such as foraging and
producing offspring.

The risk of egg loss is
mitigated as eggs are distributed amongst a number of different hosts.

As this behaviour is
damaging to the host, it often results in an evolutionary “arms race” between
the parasite and host.

The Cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, who get confused as to whether they have given birth to a "giant". Then only when the little fellow starts "singing" like a cuckoo, then they get wise to the "con" played on them & chase the cuckoo out, who still stays confused as to why their "momma" is ill-treating them. We have a pne-legged crow on the trees outside our flat who has been duped at least twice in this manner. The little fellow tries to "caw" like a crow but can't, because he is a cuckoo.

History is just how we interpret "archeological findings" & what is "unearthed" next. Just like we think we know a whole lot about the Universe, but actually know very little despite our "scientific advancements", which too get turned on their heads every now and then.

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .